ISAN
2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009
NEWS
7A
ours before th their own pol
**KANSAN FILE PHOTO**
e Jayhawks home opener against Northwestern State in early September 2006. Spotting, which involves piercing the bottom of a beer can and rapidly downing the contents from the opposite end, about drinking and are not dry like the KU campus. Alpha Delta Theta is the only dry fraternity at the University of Kansas.
what
Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, is available to students but does not have a specific alcohol or substance abuse counseling program. CAPS does offer students the opportunity to meet with an alcohol substance abuse counselor from the Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism, who is on campus two afternoons each week. Students also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a graduate student intern or a professional for counseling on any topic. Counselors can then provide referrals to other sources of treatment.
"My sense is that students who are persistent, who are willing to ask a few questions, are probably able to find resources," Wade said. "Being able to increase awareness of our services is a constant challenge we have."
Ray Rodriguez, health promotion coordinator at Iowa State, said one of his goals since being hired two years ago was to enhance the health center's Web site. He said programs and marketing strategies were essential to getting information to students about health resources.
John Wade, outreach coordinator and licensed counseling psychologist for CAPS, said that although the center was trying to become more visible as an alcohol resource, he couldn't say whether many students were aware of the service.
"It's got to be easy to find your way around and it's got to have honest information," Rodriguez said.
Wade said many clients he worked with had voluntarily sought treatment.
Rachel, a KU junior, went to CAPS at the University for counseling after making a desperate phone call to her parents one night.
"The night I totally crashed was the first night I actually admitted that I couldn't sleep unless I had a drink or some form of a sleeping pill," she said. "I had been blacking out on weekends and had just been really upset about it. I'd laugh about it with my friends but
I don't think they realized I was really humiliated about the way I was acting"
Rachel, who asked that her last name be withheld, went through counseling in high school while battling depression. She said she loved her therapist at home, but didn't know where to turn when she came to school and realized she needed help with her alcohol problem.
Rachel's mom, Annette, called CAPS for Rachel, but because Rachel is an adult, she had to schedule the appointment herself.
"When you're in that state the last thing you want to do is look for somebody." Rachel said. "You want it to be there right away. You just want to talk to someone."
Rachel said she thought it was initially difficult to get students to seek help. If they did find their way to a resource like CAPS, she said, it was important to make sure students had a good first experience.
After her first appointment with CAPS, however, Rachel said she thought it had been a "waste of time."
She said she wished she had been aware of the option to speak with a female psychologist. Instead she spoke with a male graduate student. She said it was uncomfortable crying in front of a student so close to her own age.
Since leaving her first appointment with CAPS two months ago, Rachel has not returned to Watkins for any further treatment, nor has she received any inquiries about her failure to attend her follow-up appointment. She said she was no longer seeking professional psychological help, and she continues to drink.
"I'm glad that wasn't my first experience seeing a psychologist because I don't think I'd want to go see one again," she said.
"The next step was to see him again, but since I didn't feel comfortable in my first appointment, I knew leaving that office that I wasn't going to show up" she said.
She was most frustrated when she received no advice and no plan for future treatment.
alcohol resources in Lawrence
Counseling and Psychological Services: Watkins Health Center, 2nd Floor, 864-2277
Watkin's Memorial Health Center, Wellness Center, 864-9575
Alcoholics Anonymous: 410 S. Hickory Street, 842-0011
Alpha Recovery Center: 1031 Vermont Street. 842-6300
DCCCA: 3015 W. 31st Street, 843-9262
Hearthstone: 745 Ohio Street. 749-5409
"There's no way a university by itself can stop young people from drinking." Hilliard said. "The best we can hope to do is educate them and start to create some more realistic understanding of what drinking really is."
Mechler WE Counseling Services: 544 Columbia Drive, 838-9700
Live... Again: 3205 Clinton Parkway Court, 843-5483
Solace Counseling, 766-6800
Bronson Hilliard, director of media relations at the University of Colorado, said trying to stop alcohol consumption was a "fruitless struggle." Instead, he said, the university created a policy that focused on reducing harm and educating students about personal and social responsibility.
A COMPLEX ISSUE
"It is not a situation where one intervention works for every student," Roney said. "If that was the case, we wouldn't have any problems at all. In a situation dealing with any type of substance abuse we're always looking for new programs that are looking to be effective. So we are always seeking information from colleagues."
Roney said excessive and underage drinking were complex issues for universities to address. She said it was hard to specifically address the needs of each individual.
Many Big 12 administrators say it is especially difficult to combat college drinking because it has become so entrenched in campus culture.
Matt Hecker, dean of students at Nebraska, said he knew that what happened to Jason Wren could happen to anyone on any college campus and that universities needed to be aware of what they could do to help provide students with resources to prevent unnecessary tragedies.
"We like to think that our programs are working." Hecker said.
"When you don't see problems you like to think things are working. Just like your car. It's not until you wake up and your car won't start that you stop and think. Just doing what we're doing isn't enough."
"It will certainly be a major challenge for the individuals stepping into leadership roles," McGonigle said. "It is a major obstacle for the University and, consequently, they will need to address it. Alcohol abuse is a major issue in our country and on college campuses specifically. This is too big of an issue to simply ignore."
Adam McGonigle, Wichita junior and former student body president, said that if policy were to be changed, it would probably fall to the incoming chancellor and provost to make those decisions.
- Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
@KANSAN.COM Learn more about alcohol and binge drinking at the University.
SEE THIS STORY AND THE REST OF THE SERIES ONLINE
Visit www.kansan.com/stories/news/drinking/ to see how alcohol affects your body, take a quiz about alcohol use in Douglas County, see what other students think about alcohol use at the University, and see one house party near campus and other multimedia.
STAY
HEALTHY
Jenny McKee of Wellness Center gives tips on how to protect yourself when you drink.
MISSOURI
o ry campus. Possession, use, sale and distribution of alcohol is prohibited on university grounds.
Wet/Dry: Dry campus, Posses-
MU uses a sanction system when students violate their alcohol policy. Sanctions may include:
Policies:
Housing probation
Restitution for damages Loss of privileges
Warning
University probation
Restitution for damages
- Loss of privileges
Residence hall expulsion University expulsion
Parents are notified after the first violation.
Wet/Dry:Dry
1st violation
Warning issued
Alcohol education clinic Community service
Alcohol education class
2nd violation
Year-long probationary status
3rd violation
One on one alcohol awareness course
treatment which must be followed (i.e. treatment programs, suspension from the university)
Substance abuse violation Recommendations for
OKLAHOMA
At the Sigma Chi house, Blake Hammontree was found dead with a blood alcohol content of 0.420 percent.
Wet/Dry:Dry
2nd violation
Parental notification
Parental notification
Parental notification
Another appropriate sanction
1st violation: Off or on campus
3rd violation
Further alcohol education
Automatic suspension from the University for a minimum of one semester
OKLAHOMA STATE
Wet/Dry:Dry
Policies:
Expulsion
Any student or employee of the University who has violated this prohibition is subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to:
Suspension
Referral for prosecution and/or completion, at the individual's expense, of an appropriate rehabilitation
Wet/Dry: Wet campus. Alco
Termination of employment
TEXAS
Probation
Policies:
Alcoholic beverages may be consumed and stored in resident rooms if all occupants are 21 years of age or older.
the following sanctions:
Verbal or written notice Probation
All residents who violate alcohol policy are required to appear before a judicial board where they are given one of
Forced room change Fine
Fine
- "Bar," which stays on the student's record until
they resolve the violation.
Wet/Dry: Wet campus, Resi-
ATM TEXAS A&M
Wet/Dry: Wet campus. Residents over 21 may possess alcohol in university housing arrangements as long as everyone living there is 21, excluding the possession of keys. Open containers outside of rooms are prohibited.
Policies:
Notification of parents
Students who violate alcohol policies are subject to disciplinary actions through the university and state. Sanctions may include:
A period of conduct probation or removal from school
Educational workshops
Substance abuse
assessment
Community service
"Voluntary admission to a substance abuse treatment program prior to the issuance of charges may be looked upon favorably in disciplinary cases."
TEXASTECH
Wet/Dry: Dry campus. The possession of alcohol anywhere on campus is prohibited, which includes the possession of empty or decorative alcohol containers.
Policies:
"The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, in conjunction with the Dean of Students, Student Judicial Programs and the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life respects the rights and responsibilities of students
and shall consider each violation of university policy and each violation of federal, state and/or local law on a "case-by-case basis" and shall further attempt to initially use educational options to assist students."
Probation
If a student violates the code of conduct, the student will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Disciplinary procedures including:
Written warning
Suspension
Expulsion